TRIBAL GOVERNMENT NEWSLETTER
DEE-NI' NUU-WEE-YA'
LAA-NII-SRVT-NAA-TAA-NUM-NII~-MA~S (August) 2025 - Volume 32, Issue 8
Preserving Culture Film crew documents Tolowa Dee-ni' practices
The video team of Ana Rau and Corbett Jones spent more than a week in July in Smith River documenting several Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation activities and projects, primarily related to the Natural Resources Department's Ghvtlh-k’vsh shu'-srnelh-'i~ (Kelp Guardians) grant work. Additionally, they received the rare invitation to document and interview Tribal Citizens about traditional practices at private family fish camps during the running of lhvmsr (surf smelt). "Our work takes us to many places and this is one of our favorites," said Rau, who, with her partner Jones, visited the Nation a few years ago to film an episode of “Tending Nature” for PBS. "We always feel welcomed, and we appreciate everyone taking the time to share their traditions with us." See Culture, Page 2
ABOVE: Videographer Corbett Jones, right, films members of the Nation's Kelp Guardians program receive SCUBA instructions from Reef Check Foundation staff. BELOW: Family members dry lhvmsr (smelt) on beds of beach grass. Other citizens use beds of beach pebbles to dry fish.
HONORING OUR PAST • SERVING OUR TRIBAL FAMILY PROTECTING OUR CULTURE & INDEPENDENCE • CONTROLLING OUR FUTURE